Straight from the Storks Nest: Welcome to the suite life

After leaving recovery, Brian decided to splurge and pay extra for the suite at our hospital. Pricey, but definitely worth it. We had our own little kitchenette plus a sitting area and the nicest hospital bathroom and shower we've ever seen. It really came in handy since we had more visitors this time around and it gave Caitlyn a lot of extra space to run around and play. After we got into our room, we had Beanie and Caitlyn come to meet the new additions to our family. Caitlyn could not be any more interested in her little brother and sister. And although she still refuses to say Emerson's name and refers to them as babies, she loves patting her and Chase on the head, giving them kisses, telling them she loves them and helping out in any way she can. Brian and I are hoping all this love and affection holds.

I have to say my recovery was and has been very easy. I was actually fighting with the nurses that night to get up and walk around after being told it was hospital policy to be bedridden for 24 hours. Knowing that wasn't true based on my experience with Caitlyn and also knowing that you heal faster the quicker you get up and walk around, I gave them hell and was given a special dispensation at 2am. I had no problems with pain. In fact, it was actually less painful than last time. By the next morning, I was cruising the hallways multiple times and was quickly put back on a regular diet - after going 36 hours with nothing more than ice and broth, I was starving!

I had originally planned to try pumping for a month, but after one night of two screaming children and hours spent pumping and manually expressing for virtually nothing and being unable to use the double pump without Brian's help, I decided to throw in the towel and switch to formula. Our pediatrician helped push me over the edge of guilt - she said that while it is better for babies to get breast milk, the actual percentage is only 3% and the stress of trying to work it with twins could negate any positive benefits. After we switched, the change was immediate - the twins were not fussy, slept longer and feedings went by so much faster with help. Another change? We decided to take full advantage of the nursery this time around when we made the switch to formula. For two nights we sent the twins away at night and got a full 8 hours of sleep (for what will probably be the last time in 18 years).

That night, Aunt Katie flew in to stay the weekend and brought her good friend Sarah to visit too. I also had some good Mommy friends come by and visit - Katie, Megan and Jamie. When I had Caitlyn, I didn't know anyone outside of work in Dallas and I can't tell you how much of a difference it's made to have such a great network and support of these awesome women and the MOMs Club.

After spending some time with Chase and Emerson, we've decided that Chase definitely seems to be the more laid back of the two while Emerson has emerged as an early spitfire (like her Mommy). Emerson reminds us most of my brother Mike and Chase looks like Caitlyn did but with a more "manly" nose and features. Neither have dark eyebrows or long eyelashes like Caitlyn did, and both have dark hair and long fingers and toes, but short legs. Chase seems to have blue eyes and Emerson's come across as grey. We can't wait to see what they look like as they grow older. And the difference with having a boy now? Brian got his first face full of pee when changing Chase's diaper after his circumcision.

After three nights in the hospital, I was discharged and walked out of the hospital with no pain and plenty of sleep ready to take on the challenge of raising and dealing with twin newborns.